The transition form factors for semi-leptonic weak decays of J/ψJ/\psi in QCD sum rules

Within the Standard Model, we investigate the semi-leptonic weak decays of $J/\psi$. The various form factors of $J/\psi$ transiting to a single charmed meson ($D^{(*)}_{(d,s)}$) are studied in the framework of the QCD sum rules. These form factors fully determine the rates of the weak semi-leptonic decays of $J/\psi$ and provide valuable information about the non-perturbative QCD effects. Our results indicate that the decay rate of the semi-leptonic weak decay mode $J/\psi \to D^{(*)-}_{s}+e^{+}+\nu_{e}$ is at order of $10^{-10}$.Comment: 28 pages, 6 figures, revised version to be published in Eur.Phys.J.

Canopy characteristics and behavior of Nellore heifers in Brachiaria brizantha pastures under different grazing heights at a continuous stocking rate

The objective of this study was to evaluate the Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu canopy structure maintained at different grazing heights under a continuous stocking rate and with a dietary supplementation strategy for the animals during the rainy season. This study also intended to observe the relationships of these variables with the grazing behaviors of the heifers. The effects of three canopy heights (15, 25 and 35 cm) were evaluated in association with three types of supplements: one mineral and two protein/energy supplements, the first with a high rumen degradable protein and energy and the others with a low ratio. Both the protein/energy supplements were provided at 0.3% of body weight/day. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two replications and repeated measures, and took place during the period from January to April 2008. The supplementation strategies did not affect any variable related to the canopy structure. Total and green herbage masses and the ratio of green/dead material increased with canopy height. The leaf/stem ratio was higher in the lowest canopy height: 15 cm. Changes in the canopy structure caused variations in the grazing behavior of the animals. Animals maintained in the 15-cm-tall pasture grazed for a longer time, increasing the time for each meal, but the number of meals was lower than that of the animals grazing within the 35-cm-tall pasture. The grazing time of animals receiving the energy/protein supplement was lower only in the period of the day during which it was supplied. Canopy structure is affected by sward height, and changes animal behavior. Supplementation does not affect the canopy structure of the pastures with similar heights

Sward canopy structure and performance of beef heifers under supplementation in Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures maintained with three grazing intensities in a continuous stocking system

The objective of this study was to assess the sward canopy structure of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures maintained in three grazing intensities under continuous stocking system during the rainy season, along with the behavior and performance of grazing beef heifers supplemented with mineral salt or an energy/protein supplement. Three levels of forage allowance were assessed: 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 kg of forage/kg of live weight, combined with two supplements (ad libitum mineral salt, and an energy/protein supplement at 0.3% of live weight/day, supplied daily). The experiment was designed as a randomized block study with two replications. The supplements did not influence the variables related to the canopy structure. Canopy height was greater at higher forage allowances during the late summer and early fall. Similarly, the stem mass was greater in pastures with higher forage allowances. Animals fed protein supplement spent less time grazing than animals supplemented with mineral salt. Stocking rate was higher in pastures with lower forage allowance levels, which increased the live weight gain per grazing area. Daily weight gain did not vary according to the forage allowance levels. The use of an energy/protein supplement did not affect the stocking rate; however, it increased individual live weight gain and live weight gain per grazing area compared with mineral salt supplementation. The use of energy/protein supplements is an efficient alternative to enhance animal performance and production under grazing systems during the rainy seaso

Suplementação protéica energética no desempenho de novilhas em pastejo durante a fase de terminação

Para estudar o efeito da suplementação da dieta sobre o desempenho de novilhas na fase de terminação mantidas em pastagem de capim-marandu sob lotação intermitente, durante a estação chuvosa, foram utilizadas 20 novilhas cruzadas (¼ Nelore, ¼ Santa Gertrudes, ½ Braunvieh) com peso corporal médio de 300 kg e 22 meses de idade. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de dois tipos de suplementação: sal mineral (SM) ad libtum e suplemento protéico energético (SPE) fornecido a 0,3% do peso corporal (PC) por dia com avaliações realizadas a cada 28 dias, no período entre dezembro de 2006 e março de 2007 Foram avaliados o desempenho animal e as características de carcaça medidas por ultrassom. Observou-se o efeito (P=0,057) da suplementação sobre o ganho de peso dos animais suplementados, 0,700 kg/dia e 0,587 kg/dia dos animais que receberam sal-mineral. Houve efeito da suplementação na área de olho de lombo e profundidade do músculo Gluteus medius. As demais características analisadas pela técnica de ultrassom não diferiram entre si em função da suplementação. A suplementação protéica energética da dieta permite ganhos adicionais, o que reflete em aumento da deposição de músculo de novilhas mantidas em pastagem de capim-marandu durante o período das águas.This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the diet supplementation on the heifers performance in finishing phase, maintained in a marandu grass pasture managed in intermittent grazing system during the rainy season. Twenty crossbreed (¼ Nelore, ¼ Santa Gertrudes, ½ Braunvieh) heifers with average initial body weight of 300 kg and 22 months old were used. The treatments consisted of two types of supplements: mineral (SM) ad libtum and energy protein supplementation (PES) provided 0.3% of the body weight daily. The evaluated variables were: animal performance and carcass traits measured by ultrasound each 28 days. Supplementation affected daily weight gain (P=0.057), 0.700 kg/day for supplemented animals against 0.587 kg/day for animals receiving salt-mineral. There were no supplementation effect on the loin eye area and depth of the Gluteus medius muscle. The other characteristics examined by the ultrasound technique did not differ according to the treatments. Protein and energy supplementation of the diet allows additional gains that reflected in increased deposition of muscle of heifers grazing marandu grass during the wet season

Análise da relação entre dois métodos indicadores de estado nutricional em escolares

ResumoObjetivoVerificar a concordância de diagnósticos a partir do uso de dois métodos indicadores de estado nutricional –índice de massa corporal (IMC) e percentual de gordura corporal (% GC)– em escolares de 6 a 12 anos de idade de três municípios do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.MétodoO grupo de estudo foi composto por 507 escolares, sendo 261 meninos e 246 meninas. Foram coletadas variáveis antropométricas, para o cálculo do IMC e do % GC, utilizando-se para a classificação os critérios de referência de Conde e Monteiro (2006) e de Lohman (1987), respectivamente.ResultadosOs resultados foram analisados pela correlação de Pearson e pelo índice kappa. Os dados indicaram correlação positiva de 0,89 para meninos e 0,78 para meninas entre as variáveis. A concordância entre os métodos analisados através do índice kappa, demonstrou que 54,9% das meninas e 56,7% dos meninos foram classificados na mesma categoria pelos dois procedimentos.ConclusãoPode-se concluir que apesar de se evidenciar elevada correlação entre os métodos IMC e % GC, estes apresentam discrepâncias ao classificar indivíduos na faixa etária de 6 - 12 anos, sendo esta ainda mais acentuada em relação à categoria baixo peso. Desse modo, é necessário cautela ao utilizar o IMC como parâmetro para o diagnóstico do estado nutricional de crianças.AbstractObjectiveVerify the agreement of diagnoses from the use of two methods of nutritional status indicators –body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (% BF)– in students of 6–12 years old from three cities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.MethodThe study group consisted of 507 school children, 261 boys and 246 girls. Anthropometric variables were collected for the calculation of BMI and % BF, using the criteria for classification reference Conde and Monteiro (2006) and Lohman (1987), respectively.ResultsThe results were analyzed by Pearson correlation and Kappa index. The data showed a positive correlation of 0,89 to boys and 0,78 to girls among variables. The agreement between the methods analyzed using the Kappa index showed that 54,9% of girls and 56,7% of boys were in the same category classified by both procedures.ConclusionIt can be concluded that although they show a high correlation between BMI and % BF methods, they differ widely in classifying individuals aged 6–12 years, and this is even more pronounced in relation to low-weight category. Thus, caution is needed when using BMI as a parameter for the diagnosis of nutritional status of children